Imagine two public restrooms. Imagine two restrooms for public use. The other has a private trailhead, surrounded by open space.
Both of them provide the same fundamental service, however, designing them as identical buildings does not consider the way in which different places function.
Image credit: romtec.com
Public restrooms that are good for the public begin at the site. Who will be using it? How many guests can be in the facility simultaneously? What services are provided? How far can visitors expect to walk? What style of architecture is surrounded by the building?
The answers to these questions will determine almost all decisions that are made.
Begin by watching how people move through the site.
Toilets’ placement shouldn’t be viewed in isolation from the rest and design of parks. At a sports venue, visitors may arrive in large numbers around activities and games. The location of restrooms near a playground must be suitable for families, in addition to being secure and accessible for pedestrians. In a downtown area it is possible to fit sidewalk restrooms into an area smaller than the nearby streetscape elements.
The building itself is not the complete experience. The site of the building is determined by a variety of elements, including accessibility, proximity to activities pathways, entrances, and paths.
Remote Sites Cause a Different Problem
The project should be moved away from the developed street and utilities infrastructure. A scenic viewpoint, camping area, trailhead, or a remote recreation area might not be able to connect to the sewer system that is commonly used. In appropriate applications, vault toilets provide an alternative that allows restroom facilities to serve locations where traditional plumbing infrastructure may be difficult or impractical.
The design process is something different. Project teams don’t have to select a building before analysing the site and deciding which bathroom system works best.
Capacity should reflect the actual usage
The visitor patterns of the quiet neighborhood park as well as regional sports facilities are different. Peak demand is critical. A facility that feels adequate for a typical Tuesday afternoon may face different conditions during a Saturday festival, event, or other community event.
Owners may plan their home around the use of the bathroom, based on the size, layout and fixtures, as well as access to maintenance.
Flexible restrooms built with prefabricated materials can be an excellent source for those investigating these types of facilities. This is because they can be designed to meet specific requirements of the project, instead of forcing the place into a prefabricated model.
The Architecture Conversation Continually Belongs to Us
It’s not a requirement that the appearance of a bathroom be overlooked. Bathrooms are a visible part of a public space. The roof’s forms the sidings, colors, fixtures and masonry can be employed to tie it into the nearby pavilions, concessions buildings, natural surroundings or a community design theme.
Romtec’s custom approach permits project teams to include different types of materials and colors, forms as well as exterior treatment and shapes, rather than being limited to a uniform appearance.
Design for the Space Design for the Place, Not just for the Purpose
Romtec works with park operators as well as landscape architects and contractors to design the, supply, and build restrooms and other public buildings. Its expertise extends to documents for building construction, code concerns, ADA issues, engineering, selection of components, and construction in the United States.
But, the most important start point is really simple. Decide on what kind of bathroom you’d like to build. First, you must understand what’s taking place on the site such as people, activities and infrastructure. Design the structure which is a part of it.